Puritan Literature Analysis

      The Puritans had a very simple form of writing of which they focused on the Bible and religious themes.  The story a Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson by Mary Rowlandson and the poem Upon the Burning of our House by Anne Bradstreet are both examples of the Puritan form of writing.  Since the Puritans thought it was a sin to go into extreme detail, their works are very straightforward and plain. The writings of Rowlandson and Bradstreet reflected the qualities of devotion to God, perseverance through trials, and the bond of family; qualities that were essential to the Puritan way of life.

      The Puritans were deeply devoted to God and living out his commandments on earth.  This idea is commonly seen in Puritan literature and these pieces are no exception.  Rowlandson’s work reflects this thought, “but God was with me in a wonderful manner, carrying me along, and hearing up my spirit, that it did not quite fail” (Rowlandson 83).  Even when God seemed to be forgetting them, the Puritans stayed true to Him and did not lose faith.  This unwavering devotion is repeated a number of times in both pieces of literature.  “And when I could no longer look, I blest His name that gave and took, That laid my goods now in the dust” (Bradstreet L13-15).  Both Mary Rowland and Anne Bradstreet demonstrated uncommon faith that influenced their view on life.  Religion and God were a central part in the life of a Puritan, so it played a large role in literature written by Puritans.  

      Perseverance is another quality of the Puritans that is often described in their literature.  Both these forms of literature deal with women undergoing trials that test their emotions, strength, and faith in God.  Through these trials both women persevere because the motivation of family and a brighter future.  Mary Rowlandson did not let the death of her son despair her; instead she looked for the positives of life and was thankful for being blessed with safety.   Anne Bradstreet also thanked God because He gave her the strength to collect a few of the valuable things in her house instead of looking at all of the things she lost because of the fire (Bradstreet).   The perseverance of these two authors along with countless others like them made the Puritans a strong group able to survive during difficult times. 

     Family was another element that made Puritan writing unique.  It was one of the main motivations for many pieces of literature.  Mary Rowlandson kept hope because she wanted to see her family again, and eventually her husband bought her freedom.  Anne Bradstreet did not mention much family in this poem, but she wrote another titled “To My Dear and Loving Husband” that explains the importance of family to her.  Puritans families were close knit societies and they cared for each other’s needs.  This aspect affected the lifestyle and tone that Puritan literature so clearly demonstrates. 

      Puritan qualities of faith, perseverance, and family influenced their literature and way of life.   Neither of the stories went into great detail on these women’s tragedies, instead they took a positive view of life and focused on what God could do through their lives during the hard circumstances.  The faith, perseverance, and dedication to family demonstrated by these writings had a positive influence on the society and culture of their time.

Wilhelm, Jeffery D., Douglass Fisher, Beverley A. Chin, and Jacqueline J. Royster. American Literature. Columbus: Glencoe/McGrawHill, 2009. Print.

Journal #2- Animal Manners

The panda bear is a very sticky fellow.  This specific panda bear named Pandey has always been an animal with terrible table manners.  One day when he was sitting up in his bamboo house, he decided he wanted some honey for his bamboo bread sticks.  The only  problem is it was at his friend Timmy the turtle's house.  So he waddled over to Timmy's house to find his snack.  Timmy was a stickler about manners and Pandey never really used his.  Most of the time they got along great, but Pandey would often annoy Timmy with his eating habits and tendency to take things without asking.  Pandey walked strait into Timmy's rock home without even knocking.  This did not bother Timmy though for he was in a jolly mood.  His favorite blueberry   shooting team had just won the regional championship.  But Pandey proceeded to walk into his kitchen after saying hello and took his honey right out of the cupboard.  Timmy asked him what he was doing and Pandey stated that he wanted some honey for his bamboo bread sticks. Timmy just shrugged and told him good luck and when back to watching his television show.  Pandey had gotten what he came for so he headed back to his house to make the snack.  When he got back to the house he began spreading his newly attained honey on the bamboo bread sticks.  As his mouth began to water, Pandey could not wait to taste such a wonderful treat.  He opened his mouth wide and ate an entire stick in one bite.  The energetic panda bear chewed it anxiously and tried to swallow.   The only problem was he could not.  The food was stuck to the top of his tongue.  As he flailed about with contempt, he took a closer look at the bottle and it read gorilla glue not honey.  So the moral of the story is to ask before you take something, because you may not know what you are actually getting. 

Journal #1-How the giraffe got its long neck

The giraffe is the tallest mammal on planet earth.  Many stories revolve around the origins of its extremely long neck, but this is the true story of its beginning.  The giraffe has always been a curious animal, and would wonder about trying to find new places to explore or new leaves to eat.  One day a specific giraffe named Jim was wondering through a pile of brush when he saw a tree with beautiful leaves.  Those were leaves that he longed to eat and he walked up to the tree.  The problem was that he could not reach even the lowest branch to get a nice taste of them.  He stretched and he stretched, but nothing he did allowed him to reach those perfect leaves.  Finally after hours of trying, he gave up.  He went back home saddened that he did not get a good meal to eat.  When he got back to his tribe of giraffes, he began to work his neck muscles.  He would practice stretching it for hours on end in order to lengthen his reach.  After months of practice he had increased his range by an inch, but that was not enough.  So he decided to go to the wishing pool in the African desert to make a wish for a longer neck.  After a month of traveling, he reached his goal made his wish.  The next day he woke up, but nothing changed.  Jim the giraffe was depressed for his trials had produced no results.  He decided to go back to the tree and try one more time to reach those beautiful leaves.  When he reached that same brush pile and tree he began to prepare himself for the effort of a lifetime.  
He reached up to attempt to eat the foliage and he just kept going.  Jim snatched at the leaves and got a mouthful of them.  Then he looked down and realized that his neck had stretched all the way to the sky to reach the tree top.  This is how the giraffe got its long neck.  The moral of the story is that perseverance is key; if you fail try and try again, and one day you will succeed. 

The Old Man and the Sea Blog 12

Friendship is another important theme addressed in The Old Man and the Sea.  Although much of the novel only involves the old man and his voyage at sea, he and Manolin share a deep bond of friendship with each other.  The boy especially loves Santiago and demonstrates this by little acts of kindness.  “Where did you wash? the boy thought. The village water supply was two streets down the road. I must have water here for him, the boy thought, and soap and a good towel. Why am I so thoughtless? I must get him another shirt and a jacket for the winter and some sort of shoes and another blanket.” (Hemingway 21).  Manolin is always looking for ways to serve Santiago, and many times the old man does not realize just how much he does for him.  Their relationship started back when Manolin was just a little boy.  The old man taught him to fish and their friendship has continued since then.  The boy’s father will no longer let Manolin go with Santiago, but he still spends his free time with him.  Santiago also enjoys the boy’s company.  "’I wish I had the boy’ the old man said aloud. ‘I’m being towed by a fish and I’m the towing bitt. I could make the line fast. But then he could break it. I must hold him all I can and give him line when he must have it. Thank God he is travelling and not going down.’" (Hemingway 45).  The old man’s love of the boy is based on companionship.  He gets lonely when he is by himself and usually starts talking to either himself or animals.  It is understandable that Santiago wishes he has a partner in his voyage to sea.  At times when he is especially down, he uses Manolin as motivation to keep on fighting.  Friendship is a very strong thing and there are few forces in the world that can topple it. 

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.

The Old Man and the Sea Blog 11

The Old Man and the Sea is a novel about the perseverance of Santiago in his fight against the great marlin.  Throughout the entire ordeal at sea, the old man never gave up even after he had lost all hope.  Life did not seem worth living to Santiago after the sharks stole his prize, but for his own honor as a fisherman he kept on going.  Many times throughout the novel he demonstrated this amazing level of perseverance.  “Nothing happened. The fish just moved away slowly and the old man could not raise him an inch. His line was strong and made for heavy fish and he held it against his hack until it was so taut that beads of water were jumping from it. Then it began to make a slow hissing sound in the water and he still held it, bracing himself against the thwart and leaning back against the pull. The boat began to move slowly off toward the north-west.” (Hemingway 44).  The great fish demonstrated an equal amount of determination as Santiago’s perseverance which would result in a mentally and physically challenging battle.  In the end Santiago’s perseverance would win out, but he felt as if he and the marlin were brothers.  He did what was necessary to prove his strength and still respected the fish for its fight.  When the sharks come and take the fish, the old man fights them until he has no strength left.  When this happens he simply waited patiently for it to return and then starts fighting again.  This level of perseverance can only be matched in the highest of physical pain.  Santiago did not give up until the very end when there was nothing left to do.  All that was left of the marlin was its head and bones.  The old man fought a good fight, yet it was not enough.  He finished his voyage with nothing left but his pride and his experiences. 

Hemingway, Ernest. The Old Man and the Sea. New York: Scribner, 1952. Print.

Fahrenheit 451 Blog 14

Technology and the dangers that modernization can bring is a common theme that runs throughout Fahrenheit 451.  Technology controls the society of this novel.  Televisions and radios dominate the past times of citizens, and they are led to think that it is fun.  Society teaches these people that life is about enjoying yourself and being happy.  Love and compassion to others seem like an obsolete thing in this novel.  Technology remains in control because it overwhelms its prey.  "Thank God for that. You can shut them, say, ‘Hold on a moment.’ You play God to it. But who has ever torn himself from the claw that encloses you when you drop a seed in a TV parlour? It grows you any shape it wishes! It is an environment as real as the world. It becomes and is the truth. Books can be beaten down with reason. But with all my knowledge and scepticism, I have never been able to argue with a one-hundred-piece symphony orchestra, full colour, three dimensions, and I being in and part of those incredible parlours." (Bradbury 80).  In this quote Faber is explaining to Montag that books are different from television because books have to be thought about and understood while TV is like a flood hitting you.  Technology goes to the senses first, not the brain.  Its power can brainwash a person, yet leave them as empty as before.  The dangers that technology possesses are very real.  Even in our society today these modernized ideas both do terrible deeds and make great advances.  Ray Bradbury was simply stating his case that television can be a tool used for evil purposes if allowed.  He understands that a fine line exists between enjoyment and obsession with the intangible.   Literature is important because it involves thought to accomplish reading, and the reader than has the chose to believe what is written or not.  Reading involves conscious decisions while watching television does not.    

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.

Fahrenheit 451 Blog 13

Granger is Montag’s final mentor in Fahrenheit 451.  He, like Faber is an intellectual scholar who is living his life now in secret.  Granger is part of a traveling band of hobos who hold on to the belief that humankind will need their wisdom of literature sometime in the future.  He and his band are committed to memorizing works of literature and preserving them until the end of their current dark age.  Granger is patient, calm, and confident in the goodness and strength of the human spirit.  He believes that one day literature will be used again because it is the cycle of life.  “It is Granger who divulges the novel’s Big Important Lesson about life being cyclic. Mankind builds up a body of knowledge, explains Granger, and then he destroys it and falls into a dark age….Granger gets to set the final tone for the novel. Is the reader going to come away dismally depressed, or cheerfully optimistic? For one reason or another, Grander remains hopeful.” (Shmoop 1).  In the end of the novel Granger states a very important quote.  “But that’s the wonderful thing about man; he never gets so discouraged or disgusted that he gives up doing it all over again, because he knows very well it is important and worth the doing.” (Bradbury 146).  Granger understands that life is a cycle and things will come back to the way they once were.  This deep understanding of life and nature makes Granger more of a symbol than a character.  He is the symbol of hope for a generation that is drowning in their self-inflicted problems.  Granger is not alone is this movement either.  He states that there are thousands of others like him around the country that are waiting for the moment when they can help the rest of the world.  Until that time comes, they will continue to search for more lost knowledge and recruit more people to aid them in their search. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.

"Fahrenheit 451." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Aug. 2012. <http://www.shmoop.com/fahrenheit-451/>.

Fahrenheit 451 Blog 12

Clarisse McClellan is another character throughout the course of Fahrenheit 451 that holds influence over Montag.  She was the character that brought Montag to the realization that there has to be something more to life.  There was just something about her that caught his eye.  She was a beautiful seventeen year old girl who was choosing not to conform to her society.  She was the odd one out when it comes to comparisons.  Montag noticed that Clarisse seemed so happy and alert all the time.  She did not mask her feelings and views like everyone else did.  She was a unique individual and Montag wished he could be the same.  Both her and her family are seen as outcasts to society because they do things like sit on their porch and socialize, hike, and pick flowers.  In a society that demands conformity, Clarisse was in the wrong place, but her awareness of Montag really has an impact on him.  “So Clarisse isn’t trying to teach Guy anything. She’s trying to learn from him. It’s just that her constant questioning ends up pushing the already-doubt-ridden fireman over the edge. Clarisse never tells Montag what to think; she just shows him that thinking is an option. She invites him to do it for himself, and he walks through the door she opens.” (Shmoop 1).  Because Clarisse is so unique, she continued to influence Montag late into this novel.  Even when she dies being hit by a car, she leaves an impact on him.  Her death has some thematic significance to it.  “It could be that, in this world, a girl like Clarisse just can’t exist. She’s incompatible with her surroundings, so she’s not allowed to live. We don’t know all the details of her demise, nor is the confusion reconciled by the end of the novel. But we can’t help but think of Clarisse when Granger discusses the thumbprint on his mind left by his grandfather.” (Shmoop 1).  Clarisse remains one of the most startling yet enjoyable characters in Fahrenheit 451. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.

"Fahrenheit 451." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Aug. 2012. <http://www.shmoop.com/fahrenheit-451/>.

Fahrenheit 451 Blog 11

Faber is the second mentor that Montag had through the course of Fahrenheit 451.  He had considerable influence over him, yet he was not forceful like Beatty.  Faber was a confused character though.  At times he would try to dominate Montag and control him, but other times he would help Montag think independently.  “Faber competes with Beatty in the struggle for Montag’s mind. His control over Montag may not be as complete and menacing as Beatty’s, but he does manipulate Montag via his two-way radio to accomplish the things his cowardice has prevented him from doing himself, acting as the brain directing Montag’s body.” (Sparknotes 1).  Faber does teach Montag one very important lesson though.  Life is not about the books, it is about the process.  “It’s not books you need, it’s some of the things that once were in books.  The same things could be in the ‘parlor families’ today.  The same infinite detail and awareness could be projected through radios and televisors, but are not.  No, no, it’s not books at all you’re looking for!  Take it where you can find it, in old phonograph records, old motion pictures, and in old friends; look for it in nature and look for it in yourself.  Books were only one type of receptacle where we stored a lot of things we were afraid we might forget.  There is nothing magical in them, at all.  The magic is only in what books say, how they stitched the patches of the universe together into one garment for us.  Of course you couldn’t know this, of course you still can’t understand what I mean when I say all this.  You are intuitively right that’s what counts.”  (Bradbury 79).  Faber demonstrates his great understanding of literature in this quote.  He knows that fighting for literature will not accomplish much if people are not willing to hear them out.  He struggles with his own motives at times, whether he wants to be a coward or a hero. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.

"Fahrenheit 451." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 18 Aug. 2012. <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/451>.

Fahrenheit 451 Blog 10

Beatty is another character that had much influence over Montag in Fahrenheit 451.  As his captain of the firemen squad, Montag had to listen to Beatty and obey his every command.  Most of the time it seems that Beatty genuinely cares about Montag, and goes as far as giving him a chance to repent for stealing the book.  “’A natural error.  Curiosity alone,’ said Beatty.  ‘We don’t get overanxious or mad.  We let the fireman keep the book twenty-four hours.  If he hasn’t burned it by then, we simply come burn it for him.’” (Bradbury 59).  Captain Beatty is a very interesting character.  He is in charge of the burning of books, yet seems to be the one with the most knowledge of them.  “Beatty is a complex character, full of contradictions. He is a book burner with a vast knowledge of literature, someone who obviously cared passionately about books at some point. It is important to note that Beatty’s entire speech to Montag describing the history of the firemen is strangely ambivalent, containing tones of irony, sarcasm, passion, and regret, all at once. Beatty calls books treacherous weapons, yet he uses his own book learning to manipulate Montag mercilessly.” (Sparknotes 1).   This is where Beatty differs from Montag.  He is interested in literature or at least once was, but is not willing to think about what he read.  Beatty wants a one word answer and literature definitely does not give that.  Montag is the hero of this novel because he is willing to put forth the effort and decide himself what he will believe.  Beatty does not really like the idea of his entertainment society, but he believes that it does its job.  Everyone is “happy” with who they are and what they do.  Most characters do not realize how shallow their lives really are.  Beatty is pictured as the villain because he knows the truth, yet refuses to act on it.  

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.

"Fahrenheit 451." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 18 Aug. 2012. <http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/451>.

Fahrenheit 451 Blog 9

Mildred Montag is a minor character in Fahrenheit 451. As the wife of Guy Montag, the main character in this novel, the reader would expect to know her intimately, but this is not the case.  Mildred is the opposite of Guy; she loves conformity and has to be in the normal of society.  Her relationship with Guy is not much more than living in the same house.  They sleep in different beds, never have meaningful conversations, and never demonstrate love of each other.  Television has filled this void in Mildred’s heart.  “Mildred is deeply unhappy. She’s severely bothered by the fact that her life is empty and filled with hours of mindless television. But in this world, it's Mildred’s job to be happy. Remember when she insists to her husband that she’s satisfied with their life? “I’m proud of it,” she says. She’s done her duty by convincing herself she’s happy. Since Mildred is the poster child for the average citizen in this future world, we start to wonder if maybe everyone isn’t a desperate suicide case with a shiny smiling veneer.” (Shmoop 1).  Mildred knows that she is missing something, but continues to keep coving it up.  Her fears of nonconformity lead her to turning Guy over to the firemen.  She betrayed her own husband because that is what her society expected of her.  “Her betrayal of Montag is far more severe than Beatty’s, since she is, after all, his wife. Bradbury portrays Mildred as a shell of a human being, devoid of any sincere emotional, intellectual, or spiritual substance. Her only attachment is to the “family” in the soap opera she watches.” (Sparknotes 1).  In the beginning of the book Mildred attempts suicide.  Guy never finds out if she did this on purpose or simply forgot she took thirty sleeping pills.  It is apparent that Mildred was deeply disturbed by something in her life.  She was caught in a world of fantasy and there was no escaping. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.

 

"Fahrenheit 451." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Aug. 2012. <http://www.shmoop.com/fahrenheit-451/>.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 15

Innocence is another theme addressed in The Catcher in the Rye.  Holden is by no means innocent, but he wants to protect others from making the same mistakes he did.  His dream job of the “catcher in the rye” does just that.  He wants to save children, specifically Allie and Phoebe from the pain of the real world.  Holden does not realize that this is impossible since Allie is already dead, and Phoebe will have to grow up too.  In a way Phoebe is more mature than him because she understands this concept.  Holden insists upon the idea that innocence and youth is not the same thing.  In this quote about the museum, he explains that views change because experiences change the person involved.  "The best thing, though, in that museum was that everything always stayed right where it was. Nobody'd move. You could go there a hundred thousand times, and that Eskimo would still be just finished catching those two fish, the birds would still be on their way south, the deers would still be drinking out of that water hole […]. Nobody'd be different. The only thing that would be different would be you. Not that you'd be so much older or anything. It wouldn't be that exactly. You'd just be different, that's all. You'd have an overcoat on this time. Or that kid that was your partner in line last time had got scarlet fever and you'd have a new partner. Or you'd have a substitute taking the class, instead of Miss Aigletinger. Or you'd heard your mother and father having a terrific fight in the bathroom. Or you'd just passed by one of those puddles in the street with gasoline rainbows in them. I mean you'd be different in some way – I can't explain what I mean. And even if I could, I'm not sure I'd feel like it.” (Salinger 121).  Holden had grown out of his innocence, but he believed that it was possible to stay innocent and still grow up.    

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 14

Growing up is a major theme throughout The Catcher and the Rye.  Holden is in between the child and adult stages, and cannot decide which one he wants to be.  He often acts immature and has very little self-esteem.  “‘Boy!’ I said. I also say ‘Boy!’ quite a lot. Partly because I have a lousy vocabulary and partly because I act quite young for my age sometimes. I was sixteen then, and I'm seventeen now, and sometimes I act like I'm about thirteen. It's really ironical, because I'm six foot two and a half and I have gray hair. I really do. The one side of my head – the right side – is full of millions of gray hairs. I've had them ever since I was a kid. And yet I still act sometimes like I was only about twelve. Everybody says that, especially my father. It's partly true, too, but it isn't all true. People always think something's all true. I don't give a damn, except that I get bored sometimes when people tell me to act my age. Sometimes I act a lot older than I am – I really do – but people never notice it. People never notice anything.” (Salinger 9).  Holden realizes what his problem is, but fails to do anything about it.  He thinks that people tell him to do better, but expect him to fail if he does.  This affects him both mentally and socially.  Without the encouragement of an adult, Holden will continue to feel depressed and useless.  His isolated behavior is a result of a childhood that lacked strong adult influence and encouragement.  He had good parents, but he did not seem to be very close to either of them.  Holden would end up learning the hard way that one must grow up sometime.  Though all the details are not present, it is stated at the beginning of the novel that Holden ends up in a mental institute because of an emotional breakdown. 

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 13

Mr. Antolini was the adult character in The Catcher in the Rye that was the closest to connecting with Holden.  The reason for this success was that he was not afraid to show his true self and would treat Holden as an equal rather than as an inferior.  He demonstrates his concern for Holden by answering the phone in the middle of the night and letting him come over at that late hour.  “Mr. Antolini was very nice.  He said I could come right over if I wanted to.  I think I probably woke he and his wife up, because it took them a h---luva long time to answer the phone.  The first thing he asked me was if anything was wrong, and I said no.  I said I’d flunked out of Pencey, though.  I thought I might as well tell him.  He said ‘Good G—,’ when I said that.  He had a good sense of humor and all.  He told me to come right over if I felt like it” (Salinger 174).  Mr. Antolini’s kindnesses along with wisdom were his dominate qualities.  It is never made clear whether Antolini was just overly affectionate of Holden or if there was something else going on.  Holden took it to mean the extreme and left as soon as possible.  Either way, Mr. Antolini’s previous acts of kindness cannot be forgotten before he can be judged as a character.  His wisdom is another quality that is apparent to Holden.  Antolini sees that Holden has much more potential than what he is showing.  “He recognizes that Holden is different from other students, and he validates Holden’s suffering and confusion by suggesting that one day they may be worth writing about. He represents education not as a path of conformity but as a means for Holden to develop his unique voice and to find the ideas that are most appropriate to him.” (Sparknotes 1). The insight that Mr. Antolini shows is very powerful, and if Holden were to listen, his life would be drastically different.  

"The Catcher in the Rye." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 12

There are many strong quotes in The Catcher in the Rye that really stand out.  The following is a quote about Holden’s depressed feelings.  “What I was really hanging around for, I was trying to feel some kind of good-by. I mean I've left schools and places I didn't even know I was leaving them. I hate that. I don't care if it's a sad good-by or a bad good-by, but when I leave a place I like to know I'm leaving it. If you don't, you feel even worse.” (Shmoop 1).  This quote, though stated by an emotionally confused boy, has much truth to it.  This feeling happens to everyone.  If a person leaves something behind and does not know that until later, they feel like they have missed something.  A hole is left that was once filled.  It seems like Holden struggles with this problem pretty often.  “Holden wants to make connections with people (or, in this case, with places), but to do so means to make an emotional investment that will probably end up depressing him. Here, however, he seems to decide that he would rather feel sad about leaving a place than feel sad about the fact that he doesn't get to feel connected enough to feel sad.” (Shmoop 1).  Fear of messing up seems to be the problem that Holden continues to face.  He does not want to let himself or anyone else down by a broken relationship so he never starts one in the first place.  This is what leaves him depressed and sad all the time.  Shallow relationships make him mad also.  He refers to those people as “phonies”, though he tends to act like one himself.  So either way he chooses, Holden will not be happy.  J.D. Salinger has made Holden Caulfield into a complex character that many can still relate to.  The feelings and thoughts that Holden displays are startling, yet have very many similarities to teenager thought processes today. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye blog 11

Loneliness is a reoccurring problem for Holden Caulfield throughout the book The Catcher in the Rye.  The main reason that he feels this way is because he chooses to isolate himself from others.  He is afraid to go out of his comfort zone and when he does try to connect, it is always with the wrong type of people.  He tries to find happiness in sexual relations, but both Sally and Sunny are too shallow and do not want to listen to Holden’s problems.  Though he wants to have sex, something keeps stopping him from going through with it.  Holden’s loneliness is the result of going about his life in the wrong way.  “Because Holden depends on his isolation to preserve his detachment from the world and to maintain a level of self-protection, he often sabotages his own attempts to end his loneliness. For example, his conversation with Carl Luce and his date with Sally Hayes are made unbearable by his rude behavior. His calls to Jane Gallagher are aborted for a similar reason: to protect his precious and fragile sense of individuality. Loneliness is the emotional manifestation of the alienation Holden experiences; it is both a source of great pain and a source of his security.” (Sparknotes 1).  So Holden’s loneliness really boils down to his own problems.  Both Phoebe and Mr. Antolini tried to tell Holden this, but he seemed to not understand.  “’This fall I think you’re riding for- it’s a special kind of fall, a horrible kind.  The man falling isn’t permitted to feel or hear himself hit bottom… So they gave up looking.  They gave it up before they ever really even got started.  You follow me?’” (Salinger 187).  This quote is what Mr. Antolini told Holden to try to get him to understand his personal conflict.  Holden is headed down a path that is a dead end; once you are down that path it is very difficult to return.  Since Holden is telling this story from a mental institute, more than likely he did not listen to Antolini’s advice.

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 10

In this blog, I will be writing about another one of Holden Caulfield’s siblings named Allie.  Allie was two years younger than Holden, but died of leukemia three years before the novel takes place.  Holden’s loss of his brother proved to be an emotional and even physical loss.  He lost a best friend and dear brother that he could confide anything in.  Holden states that he did everything with Allie, except for one time, which continued to haunt him for years to come.  Holden made Allie into a saint in his own head.  “Holden's rendering of this information also tells us a lot of about the way he thinks about Allie: he idealizes him. We don't doubt that Allie was a great kid, but according to Holden, he's the most intelligent, nicest, sweetest, most endearing kid with the best sense of humor you'll ever meet. In Holden's love for his brother and in his pain over Allie's death, Holden has glorified Allie into something of a saint.” (Shmoop 10).   This dangerous way of thinking has stopped Holden from getting over the grieving process and being able to accept the loss of his brother.  Throughout the book, it becomes apparent that if Holden brings up Allie, he is in a depressed mood.  Holden characterized his brother as being the smartest, funniest, and nicest kid he knew.  His thinking could have been blinded by his loss, but there is no way of knowing since Allie’s only descriptions are through Holden’s eyes.  He is also a very unique child and shares many similarities with Phoebe.  He has red hair, was left handed, and wrote poems in green ink on a baseball glove.  All this boils down to Allie being an individual free from the world’s pain, which is the opposite of Holden.  In Holden’s dream job of being a catcher in the rye, Allie seems to be the person that he wants to save.  Even though he died years ago, Allie continued to influence Holden’s life. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 9

In this blog I will talk about Holden Caulfield’s little sister Phoebe, and the effect she had on his life.  Phoebe was a unique child.  At only ten years old she demonstrated amazing maturity and understanding of what others are feeling and saying.  Her personality was bubbling and lively most of the time.  She loved to dance and was very smart and loving.  “’Holden!’ she said right away.  She put her arms around my neck and all.  She’s very affectionate.  I mean she’s quite affectionate, for a child Sometimes she’s even too affectionate.  I sort of gave her a kiss, and she said, ‘Whenja get home?’  She was glad as h--- to see me.  You could tell.”  (Salinger161).  Phoebe demonstrated time and time again her love of Holden.  She even went as far as trying to go with him when he was trying to run away.  In the end she was also responsible for Holden’s choice to stay.  Phoebe was just one of those people who are always fun to be around.  Phoebe also shows remarkable wisdom for being only ten years old.  She understands that Holden needs to grow up, a fact that he keeps denying.  Her understanding of Holden is quiet funny at times.  She seems to see all his problems and tries to get him to address them.  “Although she never explicitly states it, Phoebe seems to realize that Holden’s bitterness toward the rest of the world is really bitterness toward himself. She sees that he is a deeply sad, insecure young man who needs love and support. At the end of the book, when she shows up at the museum and demands to come with him, she seems not so much to need Holden as to understand that he needs her.”  (Sparknotes 1).  Even though she has the understanding of an adult, Salinger used excellent writing abilities to make Phoebe into a convincing ten year old.  Her character development made her into a believable and relatable identity. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 8

The Catcher in the Rye accurately reflects the attitudes of youth in the 1950s.  Following World War II, many teenagers were trying to fit in to a changing society.  Holden’s story put to words what many of these adolescences were struggling with.  Finding ones identity might not have meant running away from school, but every child went through this point in their life.  The Catcher in the Rye became a controversial success immediately following its release.  “It was a hugely popular bestseller and general critical success. Salinger’s writing seemed to tap into the emotions of readers in an unprecedented way. As countercultural revolt began to grow during the 1950s and 1960s, The Catcher in the Rye was frequently read as a tale of an individual’s alienation within a heartless world. Holden seemed to stand for young people everywhere, who felt themselves beset on all sides by pressures to grow up and live their lives according to the rules, to disengage from meaningful human connection, and to restrict their own personalities and conform to a bland cultural norm. Many readers saw Holden Caulfield as a symbol of pure, unfettered individuality in the face of cultural oppression. “(Sparknotes 1).  J.D. Salinger believed that responsibilities existed between family members, and more specifically, siblings.  Throughout the book Holden is seen thinking about or talking to his siblings.  They are people who he trusts he can vent on, and he knows they will not share his secrets.  This sort of trust is not seen between very many groups.  Being a sibling is a mutual agreement.  There are times when they do not get along, but when it comes down to it, it is all about caring for each other.  Holden and Phoebe showed that they had a very close relationship when she stopped him from running away.  It is apparent that J.D. Salinger’s past had the biggest influence over this book.  His memories of growing up are what shaped many of the ideas and values he shares in this book. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 7

J.D. Salinger uses the techniques of symbolism and humor to engage the audience and make The Catcher in the Rye an effective novel.  Humor is an important part of literature; it can break up tense moments in the reading and keep the reader interested through dull sections.  Salinger seemed to be a fan of dry humor, as Holden seems to only think things that he does are funny.  “My hand still hurts me once in a while when it rains and all, and I can't make a real fist any more – not a tight one, I mean – but outside of that I don't care much. I mean I'm not going to be a goddam surgeon or a violinist or anything anyway” (Salinger 39).  This is the sort of humor that Salinger chose to use; it is not really that funny, but it keeps the reader interested all the same.  Sarcasm seemed to be one of Holden’s strongest traits.  He liked to twist around words and make others feel inferior to him.  Symbolism is all over the place in The Catcher in the Rye.  Three symbols that are repeated multiple times are the ducks in the lagoon, Holden’s red hunting hat, and of course the “catcher in the rye”.  Holden seemed to be obsessed with the question of where the ducks in the Central Park lagoon went during the winter.  This symbol has some deep meaning to Holden’s own problems.  The ducks represent the change that time brings, but the change is not permanent because life returns the next year.  This shows to Holden that change will occur, but life will still go on and eventually make it back to normal.  The red hunting hat travels with Holden throughout his time in New York.  This hat symbolizes his desire to be a unique individual.  This hat represents his tendency of isolation versus his need of companionship.  The Catcher in the Rye symbolizes Holden’s desire to protect others from dealing with the same things that he has during his childhood. 

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye blog 6

We still read The Catcher in the Rye because of its message and story of a boy coming of age.  This is no ordinary book where the kid grows up and becomes an adult over the course of two hundred pages, instead Holden Caulfield struggles through his own identity crisis, and in the end still has no idea who he is.  He searches through everything he can think of in life to find himself and be happy.  It is just that he never allows himself to get too deep in something before he pulls away again.  This is what makes Holden a timeless character.  He seems to understand other people and their motives to an unrealistic level, but has no idea who he is.  The Catcher in the Rye is still read in schools, because of its well written story that many teenagers can still relate to.  As high school is a time of changing attitudes and opinions for all students, this novel has many similarities to the struggles that even today many people face.  “Though controversial, the novel appealed to a great number of people. It was a hugely popular bestseller and general critical success. Salinger’s writing seemed to tap into the emotions of readers in an unprecedented way.” (Sparknotes 1).  Many lessons can be learned from reading this novel.  One of these lessons is that youth does not last forever, and everyone has to grow up sometime.  This is the part that Holden struggled with because he did not want to deal with the responsibilities of being an adult.  Another lesson that The Catcher in the Rye can teach is the dangers of alienation.  When a person is alienated it does not just affect them physically, bout emotionally also.  Holden struggled with sadness and depression because he had no one to truly vent on.  All of his problems just stuck with him.  So it is great to know that being social is actually good for your health.  Being able to relate to others can be a very powerful thing. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 5

The Catcher in the Rye represents much of what occurred in the lives of teenagers in post-war America.  The behaviors and social issues apparent throughout the novel are very similar to what actually occurred in the 1950s.  “The Catcher in the Rye ended up as an emblem of counterculture in the 1950s and 60s – a symbol of alienation and isolation for the disillusioned and restless post-war generation. Salinger's own isolation from society only amplifies the mystery and allure of this important book.” (Shmoop 1).  Many of the less glorious things occurring in this novel were commonplace in the fifties.  Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes were two things done by people of almost any age.  This was an era of moral decline and social inequality.  Salinger reflects much of his own childhood in this book, and it is apparent that he was almost as rebellious as Holden.  “Salinger’s writing seemed to tap into the emotions of readers in an unprecedented way. As countercultural revolt began to grow during the 1950s and 1960s, The Catcher in the Rye was frequently read as a tale of an individual’s alienation within a heartless world. Holden seemed to stand for young people everywhere, who felt themselves beset on all sides by pressures to grow up and live their lives according to the rules, to disengage from meaningful human connection, and to restrict their own personalities and conform to a bland cultural norm. Many readers saw Holden Caulfield as a symbol of pure, unfettered individuality in the face of cultural oppression.” (Sparknotes 1).  This book holds some very important themes and symbols.  The basis for many of them is Holden’s self-alienation. The themes and symbols included the falseness of the world, the pains of growing up, along with the red hunting hat, the ducks in the lagoon, and the mummies in the museum.   These literary items are what made the book so affective.  They gave Holden a more personal feel in which the reader could relate to. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/.

 

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

 

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 4

The protagonist of The Catcher in the Rye is Holden Caulfield.  This book is unique because Holden is in a way the villain also.  When the book opens up, Caulfield is a sixteen year old boy who just flunked out of another high school.  He is an emotionally confused teenager who does not know if he wants to grow up or not.  Throughout the novel, he attempts to reach out and get to know other people.  The problem is that he always pulls away before he can truly connect with them.  “If you want to know the truth, I don’t even know why I started all that stuff with her.  I mean about going away somewhere, to Massachusetts and Vermont and all.  I probably wouldn’t have been anybody to go with.  The terrible part, though, is that I meant it when I asked her.  That’s the terrible part.  I swear to God I’m a madman.”  (Salinger 134).  This is just one of the many times that Holden tried to reach out to someone, and became frustrated that it did not work out.  Holden Caulfield is portrayed as a kid trying to find happiness in the world.  He is always quick to judge and slow to forgive though.   He is also a “phony” himself; the things he calls superficial about others are the same things he does.   “However, the criticisms that Holden aims at people around him are also aimed at himself. He is uncomfortable with his own weaknesses, and at times displays as much phoniness, meanness, and superficiality as anyone else in the book.” (Sparknotes 1).  Holden Caulfield represents the abstract idea of missing identity.  He does not really know who he is, which results in poor personal decisions and searching in the wrong places for meaning in life.  This gets him in trouble on multiple occasions like getting kicked out of school and his run in with the prostitute.  Throughout the book, Holden never really grows up, but he does learn a lot about the how other people function. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

 

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 3

There are multiple universal themes addressed in The Catcher in the Rye.  These themes include the challenges and pain of growing up, the shallowness of the world, and alienation as a form of self-protection.  These three reoccurring themes are in the center of Holden’s identity crisis.  The painfulness and challenges of growing up are what stops Holden from ever going out of his comfort zone.  He seems to be afraid to realize his own problems to even start fixing them.  School just does not seem that important to him because real life is still a long way off.  “Holden fears change and is overwhelmed by complexity. He wants everything to be easily understandable and eternally fixed, like the statues of Eskimos and Indians in the museum. He is frightened because he is guilty of the sins he criticizes in others, and because he can’t understand everything around him. But he refuses to acknowledge this fear” (Sparknotes 1).  This difficulty of growing up is tied to his view of the fakeness of the world.  Holden sees almost everyone as being “phonies”, especially if they are an adult.  Because he does not understand them or make any effort to understand them, he feels separated from everyone else.  Holden tended to find the superficiality in other people’s eyes, but forgot to check his own.  In many ways he was a hypocrite for even mentally accusing others of falseness.  This theme ties into the final theme of alienation.  Because Holden refused to get attached to anything in the adult world, he alienated himself in order to try to protect himself.  “As readers, we can see that Holden’s alienation is the cause of most of his pain. He never addresses his own emotions directly, nor does he attempt to discover the source of his troubles. He desperately needs human contact and love, but his protective wall of bitterness prevents him from looking for such interaction.” (Sparknotes 1).  By alienating himself, Holden tried to stabilize the little part of himself he thought he knew.  By doing so, he only ended up lonesome and depressed without anyone to turn to. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 2

The conflict of The Catcher in the Rye is an internal conflict.  Holden struggles with his identity and all of the influences around him.  He is not sure if he wants to be an adult or just stay acting like a kid.  “The major conflict is within Holden’s psyche. Part of him wants to connect with other people on an adult level (and, more specifically, to have a sexual encounter), while part of him wants to reject the adult world as “phony,” and to retreat into his own memories of childhood.” (Sparknotes 1).  The main causes of this conflict include others chastising Holden for always acting like a child.  He feels like he wants to grow up, but his self-doubt tells him to just act like a kid because that is all he can do.  This conflict also gets started because Holden does not really know his own identity.  He looks for it in sex, alcohol, and profanity, but nothing seems to make him happy or understand his own motives.  As the plot progresses, gains in the conflict include Holden’s realization that judgment of others is not really fair if the details are unclear.  He realizes this after his confrontation with Mr. Antolini and his awkward escape.  He realized that he could not judge him because Antolini had done so much for him in the past.  It would not be fair to throw away an entire friendship after this one action.  The losses of the conflict include Holden’s final chose to retreat back into his childhood, away from the dangers of sexuality and intimacy.  After experiencing all of this, he was too afraid to continue searching for something more.  His innocence was long gone, and his mind was full of bad images.  Holden believed that growing up was too painful, so he retreated back into his own shell.  Through all the challenges that he faced, Holden learned many lessons, but he could not continue the fight to find himself in others. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

 

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

The Catcher in the Rye Blog 1

The Catcher in the Rye reveals a lot about its author J.D. Salinger.  Many of the events in this book actually happened to Salinger when he was growing up, and they left a large impact on him.  “Salinger grew up in a fashionable neighborhood in Manhattan and spent his youth being shuttled between various prep schools before his parents finally settled on the Valley Forge Military Academy in 1934. He graduated from Valley Forge in 1936 and attended a number of colleges, including Columbia University, but did not graduate from any of them” (Sparknotes 1).  So essentially, The Catcher in the Rye is a retelling of much of his own story.  More than likely, Salinger had an attitude of obsession with sex and profane language.  This may not be the best habits to have, but he certainly included this in the novel.  Salinger was not afraid to write his opinions on paper, which bought him many enemies in critics.  Finally as an author he was fed up with the chastising and disappeared from the public eye. “A lot of mystery and controversy surrounds J.D. Salinger. It seems he stopped publishing his work just when he was peaking as an author, and since then has been essentially a social recluse, granting no interviews and making no public appearances whatsoever. Some people think he's sort of a Holden Caulfield himself. The Catcher in the Rye ended up as an emblem of counterculture in the 1950s and 60s – a symbol of alienation and isolation for the disillusioned and restless post-war generation. Salinger's own isolation from society only amplifies the mystery and allure of this important book.” (Shmoop 1).  Though Salinger remains a mystery, his ideas expressed in The Catcher in the Rye have influenced hundreds of readers.  His perspective in this book is told from Holden Caulfield in the first person.  He is telling the story of Holden’s past and reveals many of the ideas and thoughts that determined his very peculiar chose of actions. 

"The Catcher in the Rye." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.shmoop.com/catcher-in-the-rye/.

"The Catcher in the Rye." SparkNotes. SparkNotes, n.d. Web. 13 Aug. 2012. http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/catcher/context.html.

Salinger, J. D. The Catcher in the Rye. Boston: Little, Brown and, 1991. Print.

Fahrenheit 451 Blog 8

Fahrenheit 451’s basis and message accurately reflect events that occurred while it was written.  The early 1950 were a time of chaos in the United States.  The Korean War was starting up and it was a war that many Americans did not want to fight.  This attitude found its way into Fahrenheit 451 and was reflected in the atomic war that the city was destroyed in.  As stated in previous blogs, the fear of literature becoming government controlled was started by a senator in our own government.  He tried to take foreign literature out of American libraries.  Ray Bradbury wrote Fahrenheit 451 with this concern in mind.  Ray Bradbury also believed that various responsibilities existed between different people groups in society.  He thought that workers and bosses have to be accountable to each other.  Guy Montag had to listen to Beatty and obey his commands.  This meant even when he was told to set a room on fire with someone in it, he must.  Beatty on the other hand was responsible for Montag’s wellbeing and safety.  When he knew that Montag took home a book, he gave him a chance to repent.  This showed that he actually cared about Guy and did not want to fire him.  Mentors and students was another relationship that Ray Bradbury understood in this novel.   It is not just the student that learns something from this type of relationship, but the mentor also.  “I feel alive for the first time in years,’ said Faber.  ‘I feel I’m doing what I should’ve done a lifetime ago.  For a little while I’m not afraid.  Maybe it’s because I’m doing the right thing at last.  Maybe it’s because I’ve done a rash thing and don’t want to look the coward to you.” (Bradbury 125).  Faber also learned from his experience with Guy.  They both grew tremendously and probably would not have worked out if they did not meet.  Bradbury seemed like he understood this idea, so a mentor in his life probably left a large impact on him. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print.

Fahrenheit 451 Blog 7

Ray Bradbury uses the literary element of symbolism to make Fahrenheit 451 an interesting and effective novel.  There were multiple symbols that he used throughout the novel, but fire was the most important and abundant.  This is a fitting symbol to have in this book, since the title itself contains a hint to heat.  The temperature of four hundred and fifty one is supposed to be the temperature at which books burn.  Fire is used as a symbol for both warming and destroying.  At different points in the book, fire symbolizes different things.  When the firemen burn books and houses, they are using it to destroy.  Montag discovered that it had a use that was good in the fact that it could provide heat.  Fire also symbolized strength under opposition.  "Play the man, Master Ridley; we shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out." (Bradbury 33).  These different symbols for fire show its important characteristic; it can both destroy and provide.  “It was not burning, it was warming.  He saw many hands held to its warmth, hands without arms, hidden in darkness.  Above the hands, motionless faces that were only moved and tossed and flickered with firelight.  He hadn’t known that fire could look this way.  He had never thought in his life that it could give as well as take.  Even its smell was different.” (Bradbury 139).  This realization brought forth a change in perspective for Montag.  Another symbol seen in Fahrenheit 451 is Guy Montag getting changed in the river.  This symbolized his old identity of firefighter and husband being washed away.  When he dons Faber’s clothes, he becomes a new person that no longer holds the pain and ignorance of the old Montag.  This change is very important because it opens up Guy’s future to the possibility of a meaningful life.  These two types of symbols are what made Fahrenheit 451 an interesting and effective novel. 

Bradbury, Ray. Fahrenheit 451. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1967. Print. 

Fahrenheit 451 blog 6

We still read Fahrenheit 451 because of its important message and great characters.  Ray Bradbury did not write this book with the focus of government censorship, instead he intended it to be a story about the dangers of too much technology.  “In his mind, the novel is about the potential for TV to replace books, causing us to forget how to think for ourselves” (Shmoop 1).  This book is still read so that its readers can understand just how true this statement is, and how it is partially coming true.  Many of the scary concepts addressed in Fahrenheit 451 actually occur every day around us and we do not even think about it.  On the literary side of things, we still read this book because of the excellent character development and progression seen through Guy Montag.  The reader can feel like he is part of the story.  Bradbury did an excellent job of communicating Montag’s feelings and emotions which make the reader sympathize towards his cause.  Bradbury earned the title of classic for Fahrenheit 451 because of his great writing and communicating abilities along with the message of the novel.  The futuristic feel to this novel makes its characters and messages timeless.  It is interesting to look back and see what people thought the future would be like sixty years ago, but it is even scarier to think that some of what they thought was correct.  Bradbury’s portrayal of the future was very new to others of its day, and it found its mark among other novels of its kind like 1984 and Brave New World.  By reading Fahrenheit 451, we can learn many lessons.  One of these lessons is that almost everything in life can be used as either a destructive power or a constructive power.  Fire is the example seen throughout the book.  The firemen use fire to destroy books, and that is all that Guy thought it could do.  When he sees a fire being used for heat, a constructive purpose, he is in awe because he did not know that it could have a good quality. 

Fahrenheit, 451. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2012. Print.

"Fahrenheit 451." Shmoop. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Aug. 2012. <http://www.shmoop.com/fahrenheit-451/ending.html>.